Mini-Lesson #44
From the
UWF Writing Lab’s 101
Grammar Mini-Lessons Series
Conversational English
Conversational English is “bad English” for
academic and professional writing.
Conversational English usually consists of the
following:
 Slang
 Colloquialisms
 Clichés
Slang
 Slang is a style of language characteristic of given
localities, age groups, time periods, and cultural
and social groups.
 Slang may be used effectively in informal and
formal speech and writing, as long as the slang
expression is set off in quotation marks to indicate
the usage is intentionally informal.
Examples of Slang
Here are some common slang expressions that may or
may not still be in use:
 a drag (uninteresting)
 pigging out (eating)
 chill out (relax)
 ratted out (told, divulged)
 fed up (tired of)
Colloquialisms
 A colloquialism is an expression that is chiefly
spoken- it is the vernacular; that is, its usage
should be reserved for very informal spoken
occasions, not for writing.
 Colloquialisms are generally the language of
everyday speech.
Examples of Colloquialisms
 Anyways (anyway)
 A bunch of people (a number of people)
 We have a deal (We have an agreement)
 Fixing to leave (preparing to leave)
 Kid, kids (child, children)
 Okay, o.k., ok (all right)
 Pretty good (very good)
Cliché
 Clichés are once colorful expressions that have become
trite, worn-out, and overworked through overuse.
 A cliché shows no originality on the part of the writer
or speaker. Clichés cause the reader to anticipate the
writer’s words: Last but …, for instance, used in a list to
introduce the last item, automatically suggests last but
not least.
Examples of Clichés
 Tip of the iceberg
 Crystal clear
 Been there, done that
 A method to this madness
 All in all
 Easier said than done
 Ripe old age
 Cool as a cucumber
 After all is said and done
 Believe it or not